Heat conduction breaker construction



Sept. 29, 1936. v. c. HUNTINGTON HEAT CONDUCTION BREAKER CONSTRUCTION Patented Sept'. 29, 1936 PATENT OFFICE HEAT CONDUCTION BREAKER CONSTRUCTION Victor C. Huntington, Blue Island, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Western Pipe & Steel Co. of Calif., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Application July 29, 1932, Serial No. 625,895

11 Claims.

This invention has to do with means for preventing the passage of heat between portions of a refrigerator or the like of different temperatures, and involves more particularly that portion of a refrigerator or the like construction which is commonly known as a breaker strip.

It is one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide means whereby the passage of heat from the interior of a refrigerator compartment to the exterior of the refrigerator and vice versa is prevented.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of means for heat insulating the outer casing of a refrigerator or the like from the lining of the compartment.

Another object of the invention consists in the provision of breaker strip construction involving few parts which may be produced at a low cost of manufacture, wherein provision is 'made against metal-to-metal Contact between the parts whose temperature difference is to be maintained, and whose efficiency is unimpaired by expansion or contraction of any of the parts due to change in temperature thereof.`

It is another object of the invention to provide, in a breaker strip construction, moistureproof, yieldable or resilient heat insulating material such as soft rubber for spacing apart the metal parts forming the door opening, and the corresponding peripheral edges of a door for a refrigerator or the like.

Breaker strip construction heretofore in use has been unsatisfactory for the reason that the same has embodied a plate or strip of wood, phenolic condensation product or other material of fairly low heat conductivity, but such materials are not ordinarily suited to withstand the abuses to which they are subjected in use, absorb moisture, are more diiiicult to keep clean or do not properly seal the joints which are formed in their use.

To accomplish the foregoing objects and others which will appear as the description proceeds, as well as to obviate the objectionable features of past constructions, the structure forming the subject matter of the present invention has been devised. To this end, the sheet metal lining of the refrigerator compartment is formed so that its margin rests on the marginal portion of the wall of the door opening. The margin of the sheet metal casing for the outside of the refrigerator is likewise arranged with respect to the wall of the door or door opening. Strips of soft rubber or the like are placed over the marginal portions of the lining and casing and extend in substantial parallelism. The rubber strips are bridged by a longitudinal plate of sheetlmetal or the like, the longitudinal edges thereof being preferably imbedded in the rubber strips. Suit- 5 able means are employed for holding the metal strip in tight engagement with the rubber strips, said means being so arranged that there can be no metal-to-metal contact between the lining and casing, nor between the lining and casing and the longitudinal metal strip. The exterior surfaces of the metal parts are preferably coated with enamel or porcelain. The seal is completed at the corners by the employment of a preferably rubber angular member which conceals the juxtaposed edges of the metallic strips at the corners of the door openings.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures Iin the specification and the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a refiigerator cabinet provided with breaker strip construction forming the subject matter of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken approximately in the plane indicated by the line II-II in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken approximately in the plane indicated by the line III-III in Figure l.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken approximately in the plane indicated by the line IV-IV in Figure l.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional 35 View taken approximately in the plane indicated by the line V--V in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View of a modif-led form of the invention as applied to a door and door frame. 40

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, wherein the same parts are designated by the same characters throughout, there is provided for illustrative purposes only a refrigerator cabinet i having a door frame 2 of Wood or the like and provided with a metallic lining member or sheet 3 and a casing member or sheet 4. One of the Stiles of the frame 2 is designated by the numeral 5 and is illustrated as tapering inwardly toward the refrigerator compartment 6, although the invention is not dependent upon the direction in which the stile extends.

In Figure 3 is shown one modification of the invention as employed in connection with the bottom rail 1 of the frame, although it is to be understood that this construction is applicable to the stiles 5 or top rail of the frame 2. In this form of the invention, the rail 'I has its inner and outer edges rabbeted at 8 and 8a, providing an intermediate upstanding portion or rib 9. The lining 3 may be of uninterrupted form or, as shown in Figure 3, may be provided adjacent its margin I with a rib II extending in substantial parallelism with the rib 9 of the rail T. The margin IU is disposed in the rabbet 8a and is fastened to the lower wall thereof by any suitable means shown at I2. 'Ihe exterior metallic casing 4 has its margin I3 disposed in the outer rabbet 8 of the rail I and secured by any suitable means I2 to the lower wall thereof.

A heat insulating strip I4 of soft rubber or the like is placed over the margins I0 and I3, the inner strip preferably engaging the rib II of the lining 3. The strips are of a height substantially commensurate with the rib 9. A metallic breaker plate or Strip I5 overlies the rib 9 and bridges the space between the rubber strips I4, the marginal edges I6 of the plate I5 being bent toward and embedded in the rubber strips I4. Screws Il or the like, embedded in the rail 1, serve to firmly secure the plate I5 over the rib 9, and to hold the downturned edges I6 in tight engagement with the strips I4.

It will be noted from the foregoing that the strips I4 are held tightly in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 so that they are prevented by the downturned portions I6 from becoming displaced, and also serve to prevent access of moisture to the unfilled portions of the rabbets 8 and 8a, so that the material of which the rail I is formed is maintained in a dry condition at all times, and hence its heat insulating properties will not be impaired.

While I have described one form of the invention as applied to a door frame rail whose Wall is not inclined, it will be understood that the same construction could be used in connection with a wall which is inclined without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

The stiles of the frame 2 are preferably inclined as shown. 'I'he stile 5 is shown with its inclined wall I8 obstructionless although if desired it could be provided with a rib such as that shown at 9 in Figures 3 and 4, and in fact the heat insulating construction employed in connection with the stile 5 could, if desired, be identical with that employed in connection with the bottom rail l.

The stile 5 projects beyond the adjacent wall of the compartment 6 as shown at I9, the adjacent marginal portion of the lining 3 being bent about the corner portion I9 of the stile 5 and overlying the adjacent marginal portion of the wall I8 as shown in Figure 2. The casing sheet 4 is also arranged so that its margin 2I overlies the adjacent margin of the wall I8. Heat insulating strips 22, preferably of soft rubber, are applied over the marginal portions 20 and 2|, the gap between said strips being bridged by a preferably metallic breaker strip or plate 23. As in the case of the previously described breaker plate, the plate 23 has its edges 24 turned out of the plane of the plate 23 and in the same direction, and are held in biting engagement with the rubber or like strips 22. Screws or the like 25 pass through the marginal portions of the breaker plate 23, the strips 22 and the margins 20 and 2I, and are imbedded in the stile 5 as shown in Figure 2.

With this construction, in order to avoid contact between the screws 25 and the margins 20 and 2I, the latter are provided with relatively large openings 26 and 21, respectively, through which the screws 25 pass. This construction also makes it possible for relative movement of the parts to take place by reason of expansion or contraction of the casing 4 and lining 3 resulting from temperature changes without causing any metal-to-rnetal contact. The insulating strips 22 are thus operative to effectively prevent metal-to-metal contact between the parts, and prevent access of moisture to the stile 5 and adjacent layers 28 of heat insulating material, so that their insulating quality will not be impaired.

In the corner construction embodying the principles of the present invention, the angularly related plates I5 and 23 terminate short of the line of intersection thereof to provide space for the passage of a securing member such as the screw 29. The juxtaposed end portions 30 and 3l of the plates I5 and 23, respectively, are concealed by an angular corner plate 32 of soft rubber or the like. A preferably metallic escutcheon plate 33 of elongated form and conforming to the angular shape of the corner plate 32 and extending substantially parallel to said intersection is held in tight engagement with the plate 32 by the screw 29. extends somewhat beyond the longitudinal edges of the plates I5 and 23 and has its corresponding edge portions 34 turned over the turned edges I6 and 24 of said plates and imbedded in the rubber strips I4 and 22 as shown in Figure 4. With this construction, each corner of the door opening is completely sealed against the entry of moisture to the frame 2 and associated insulating material 28, and all metal parts are properly insulated from one another.

A modified form of insulating construction is shown in Figure 6 in connection with a door as well as a door frame. In this modification, preferably no wood frame is employed, the insulating material occupying the spaces substantially filled by wood in the previously described forms of the invention. The insulating material 35 in Figure 6 is preferably cut on a bias as indicated at 36 in both the cabinet 31 and door 38, these being shown as hinged together at 39. Tapping strips are interposed between the insulating material 35 and the casings 4 to reinforce the cabinet and door walls for the attachment of hardware 4I. The strips 4D are tapped to receive attaching screws 42, although it is understood that rivets or any other suitable means could be employed for securing the hardware in place. The door 38 is preferably reinforced at its overhanging margin 43 by wood 44 or the like, and a rubber or like gasket 45 is employed tp render the refrigerator air tight when the door is closed. The tapping strips 40 are preferably of good insulating material such as phenolic condensation product and, if desired, may constitute a reinforcing frame of the door opening and may be made angular for that purpose.

In the breaker strip structure illustrated by Figure 6, the lining 3 and casing 4 are provided with angularly bent margins 20 and 2I respectively, over and along which rubber or the like insulating strips 22 are placed. Tapping strips 46 of good insulating properties such as phenolic condensation product are positioned along the inner surfaces of the margins 20 and 2l and are preferably of less thickness than the spaces between said margins and the associated insulating material 35. Each margin 2D is spaced from the The corner plate 32 associated margin 2|, and this space is substantially taken up by a bar or strip 4l of insulating material of preferably the same quality as the substance 35, said bar 4l engaging the material 35 and extending to substantially the plane of the free o-uter surfaces of the rubber or like strips 22.

With the parts thus arranged, a breaker plate 23 is placed in overlying relation to the bar 4l and the associated rubber strips 22. The portions of the plate 23 overlying the rubber 22 are perforated to receive screws 48, rivets or the like, the alined portions of the margins 20 and 2l being perforated at 26 and 21 and the tapping strips being tapped at 49 to receive the screws 48. The edges 24 of each plate 23 are bent toward the rubber 22 and, when the screws 48 are tightened, are embedded in the rubber as shown. At the same time, the plate 23 bears forcibly against the bar 4l. The holes in the sheet metallic parts 3 and 4 are made larger than the fastening elements thruout, to provide for expansion and contraction without contact with said elements. The structure is thus maintained rigid and the metallic parts 3, 4 and 23 are adequately insulated from one another.

It will of course be understood that the construction appearing in Figure 6 may be employed on all sides of the door and door opening, and that the corner construction shown in Figure 5 is applicable as well to the structure of Figure 6.

While I have illustrated the invention as employed in connection with a refrigerator box or cabinet such as is in quite extensive domestic use, it will be understood that the principles of this invention may be employed in connection with refrigerator cars and other refrigerator boxes and containers for commercial purposes.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than is necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

l. Refrigerator construction comprising a wall having inner and outer rabbets, a liner having a margin disposed over and against one face of the inner rabbet, means securing said margin to said face, said liner having a portion extending in a plane at an angle to the margin and cooperating with the margin and the other face of said rabbet to provide a substantially channel-shaped recess, a flexible insulating strip disposed in said i recess in engagement with said margin and portion, a casing having a margin engaged with the adjacent one face of the outer rabbet, a flexible insulating strip over and in engagement with the last mentioned margin, a finish plate bridging the space between said rabbets and having margins overlying and embedded in said strips, and means for securing the plate in position and holding its margins in tight engagement with said strips, whereby said casing is insulated from said liner.

2. Refrigerator construction comprising spaced members, and means for insulating said members from each other, said means comprising a breaker plate, insulating strips spacing said plate from said members, and means including elements passing through said members, plate and strips for clamping them together, the holes in said members through which said elements pass being substantially larger than said elements, whereby contact between said elements and said members is avoided.

3. Refrigerator construction comprising spa :ed members, and means insulating said members from each other, said means comprising a breaker plate, insulating strips spacing said plate from said members, and means clamping said members, plate and strips together, said clamping means including elements passing through said members, plate and strips, said clamping means and members being relatively shiftable without affecting the insulated relation of said parts.

4. Refrigerator construction comprising spaced members, a rigid breaker plate, relatively soft insulating means spacing said plate from said members, and means including elements passing thru said members, plate and insulating means for clamping the same together.

5. Corner construction for refrigerators comprising spaced angular members arranged side by side, plates bridging the juxtaposed portions of said members adjacent the corners thereof, angular insulating strips between each plate and said portions and overlying the corner of said members, an insulating corner piece bridging the juxtaposed ends of said plates, and means for holding all of said parts firmly in position.`

6. Corner construction for refrigerators comi prising angular members arranged side by side in spaced relation to each other, plates adjacent the corners of and bridging said members, angular insulating strips between each plate and said members and overlying the corners of said members, an insulating corner piece bridging the juxtaposed ends of said plates, and means spaced from said members and plates for holding all of said parts rmly in position.

7. Corner construction for refrigerators comprising spaced angular members arranged side by side, plates adjacent the corners of and bridging said members, insulating strips between each plate and the members and overlying the corners of the members, an insulating corner piece bridging the juxtaposed ends of said plates, and means clamping all of said parts firmly in position, each of said plates having portions embedded in said strips.

8. Corner construction for refrigerators comprising spaced angular members arranged side by side, plates adjacent the corners of and bridging said members, insulating strips between each plate and the members and overlying the corners of the members, an insulating corner piece bridging the juxtaposed ends of said plates, and means for holding all of said parts firmly in position, said corner piece cooperating with said strips to completely seal the space between the juxtaposed ends of said plates.

9. Corner construction for refrigerators comprising spaced angular members, plates adjacent the corners of and bridging said members, flexible insulating strips between each plate and the members and overlying the corners of the members, a flexible insulating corner piece in sealing engagement with said strips and plates, an escutcheon plate over the exposed corner of said piece, and means associated with said escutcheon plate for holding all of said parts firmly in position.

10. Refrigerator construction comprising spaced members, a stiff insulating tapping strip and a relatively flexible insulating strip arranged on opposite sides of the margin of each member, a plate bridging the flexible strips, and means passing thru said plate and members and extending into said strips for clamping the parts together.

11. Refrigerator construction comprising a wall of insulating material, a sheet covering therefor,

said sheet including portions spaced apart and arranged in spaced relation to said wall, reinforcing insulating strips between the wall and said portions, a plate overlying said portions, exible insulating strips disposed between said plate and said portions, an insulating bar spacing said p0rtions from each other and said plate from said wall, and fastening elements spaced from said portions and passing thru said plate, insulating strips and portions and secured to said reinforcing strips for clamping the parts in position.

VICTOR C. HUNTINGTON. 

